Levi is a male given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "levy," which means "joined" or "attached." In the Old Testament of the Bible, Levi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the founder of the Levite tribe, who were responsible for performing religious duties in the Temple.
The name Levi has been used throughout history and across different cultures. It was popular among Jews throughout the Middle Ages and was also used by early Christians as a way to honor the Levite tribe's role in the Bible. In recent years, Levi has gained popularity as a given name in various parts of the world, including the United States, where it has consistently ranked among the top 1000 most popular boy names since the late 20th century.
There are several variations and nicknames associated with the name Levi, such as Lev, Leviticus, and Levy. The name is also used as a surname in some cultures, particularly among Jews and those of Jewish descent.
Overall, Levi is a strong and distinctive male given name with a rich history and meaningful origin. It has been embraced by people of different backgrounds and religions throughout the centuries, making it a popular choice for parents looking to give their son a unique and significant name.
The name Levi has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there were fewer than 100 births each year with the name Levi. However, by the 1970s, this number began to rise dramatically, reaching nearly 600 births per year in 1979.
The popularity of the name Levi continued to grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s, peaking at over 9,000 births in 2009. This high level of popularity has been maintained since then, with over 9,500 births each year from 2020 to 2023.
Overall, there have been a total of 195,590 births with the name Levi in the United States since 1880. This demonstrates that while Levi may not have always been a popular name, it has certainly become one in recent decades, and its popularity shows no signs of waning anytime soon.